The Edinburgh Principles with accompanying guidelines and recommendations.

A panel of experts attending a 3-day meeting held in Edinburgh, UK, in February 2001 was charged with producing a set of principles outlining the rights and needs of people with intellectual disability (ID)and dementia, and defining service practices which would enhance the supports available to them. The Edinburgh Principles, seven statements identifying a foundation for the design and support of services to people with ID affected by dementia, and their carers, were the outcome of this meeting. The accompanying guidelines and recommendations document provides an elaboration of the key points associated with the Principles and is structured toward a four-point approach: (1) adopting a workable philosophy of care; (2) adapting practices at the point of service delivery; (3) working out the coordination of diverse systems; and (4) promoting relevant research. It is expected that the Principles will be adopted by service organizations world-wide, and that the accompanying document will provide a useful and detailed baseline from which further discussions, research efforts and practice development can progress.